Articles + class

Question

Hi, experts. I have lately been quite confused as to exactly when you use an article before the word "class" and when not. And also, when do you use "class" in its plural form. Any rules?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Little GirlAny rules?

As far as I can think, the rules for the noun "class" are the same as for any other noun. Here are a few examples:

class competitions, class honors, class size ("class" as a modifier)
the class of 2010, the class of 2011 (groups of students who graduated at the same time)
in music class, in French class, in geometry class, in gym class (particular kinds of classes, by subject matter)

The class introduces them to 2-D, 3-D and orthographic drawings with dimensions. (class ~ the course of instructional readings and activities)
Registration will be taken the first night of (the) class. ('the' optional) (course of studies)
The class would like to thank all the volunteers of the Reading Rangers program. (class ~ the collection of students)
The class will run laps to earn money from sponsors. (students)

to attend class(es), to skip class(es)

CJ

Little Girl · Answer

I have problems using it as a noun when it means "a period of instruction". For example, by general rules, it should be "in a French class", but we skip that "a". Why?

CalifJim · Answer

Little GirlFor example, by general rules, it should be "in a French class", but we skip that "a". Why?

When we say "John can't come to the phone; he's in French class now", we mean he is in attendance in the classroom currently assigned for learning French, the exact class that he is enrolled in at this period of time.

We can say that he's in a French class, but that is a sort of refusal to say which class of several possible French classes he might be enrolled in now, maybe because we don't want to be very specific, or maybe because we don't know. Generally in the educational system, there would be only one French class that John would be qualified to take at this time, so usually it would be "in French class". Besides, we usually have no reason to be vague about it on purpose.

CJ

Little Girl · Answer

Shouldn't we use "the" if we are referring to "the exact class that is enrolled in at the this period of time"?

How about these two situations?

Student to Teacher: Do we have a/- class tomorrow?

Teacher to Students: We don't have a/- math class tomorrow?

CalifJim · Answer

Little GirlShouldn't we use "the" if we are referring to "the exact class that is enrolled in at the this period of time"?

No. The listener may know exactly which class you're enrolled in. "the" won't be used.

In the context we have here, "the" is used in cases of contrast when there is doubt.

— He's in class now.
— Which class? The French class or the math class?
— The math class.

Little GirlStudent to Teacher: Do we have a/- class tomorrow?Teacher to Students: We don't have a/- math class tomorrow?

No "a" in either one.

Do we have [ math / French / chemistry / - ] class tomorrow?
We don't have [math / French / chemistry / - ] class tomorrow.

CJ

Little Girl · Answer

Hi, again. Thanks.

I don't want to confuse things, but when you say "the" won't be used and the listener may know exactly which class I am referring to, it seems to me that I can say "I like table" and the listener will comprehend which table I am talking about.

Each time I have to use "class", I am confused if I should say "a class", "the class","class", "classes". For example, should I say "I won't be able to take class today" or "I won't be able to take the class today". If the word "classes" is treated just like any other noun, I should probably have "the class" then, as there's a modifier ahead (ie, today). It's the class that is today. But, I don't think that's what's usually said.

Also, should I say "Class/the class is 5 days a week" if I am referring to only one subject class?

I would appreciate it if you could provide some distinguishing examples with "class" used in each way (ie, "class", "the class", "classes", and "a class")

CalifJim · Answer

Little Girlwhen you say "the" won't be used and the listener may know exactly which class I am referring to, it seems to me that I can say "I like table" and the listener will comprehend which table I am talking about.

Right. I think I see your confusion. "table" is an object. "class" is an activity. "class" works like "school" and several other nouns that may indicate some characteristic activity that takes place there.

If you're talking about the activity that goes on in that place, you don't use the article:

He's in school. He's in class. (In both cases he is doing something appropriate to the place mentioned.)
He's in the school. (He is physically located inside the school building.)
He's in the class.(He is a member of that class. As a matter of the administrative process he has registered and he attends.)

Little Girl"I won't be able to take class today" or "I won't be able to take the class today"

I won't be able to attend class today. (You assume the listener knows which class you're talking about.)
I won't be able to attend the class today. (Unusual. The class in question was probably mentioned earlier in the conversation.)

Little GirlIf the word "classes" is treated just like any other noun

It isn't, so you can put that out of your mind. "class" is not treated just like any other noun. That's why it's so confusing for learners.

Little Girlshould I say "Class/the class is 5 days a week" if I am referring to only one subject class?

Class is 5 days a week. (The listener knows which class.)
The class is 5 days a week. (Whichever class was mentioned previously.)

Little Girl examples

Isolated example sentences don't help much because the surrounding context is very important. As you see from my examples above, the same sentence can differ only by the presence or absence of "the" or "a", and the reason is often subtle and complex.

CJ

Little Girl · Answer

I think it will take me some time to completely grasp how to use it perfectly. If it's any consolation, though, I am definitely beginning to understand its usage. Thank you. You very much simplified it.

What would you say if a student comes out of a class - go to class or go to the class?

And, oh, "...comes out of class/ a class"?

CalifJim · Answer

Little GirlWhat would you say if a student comes out of a class

If a student comes out of a classroom, I say "He/She is coming out of the classroom" as it happens, and I say "He/She came out of the classroom" after it happens.

I think you're using "class" to mean "classroom" here. That's OK, but it makes the use of "class" even more complicated.
__________

I don't know why you suggested "go" when it's "come". It's the opposite direction.

CJ

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